A turntable is a device designed to play vinyl records by spinning them at a precise, constant speed while a tonearm-mounted stylus traces the record's grooves. The turntable converts the mechanical vibrations from the groove into electrical signals, which are then amplified and played through speakers. It's the essential piece of equipment for any vinyl listener.
Turntables come in two main drive types: belt-drive and direct-drive. Belt-drive turntables use an elastic belt to connect the motor to the platter, isolating motor vibration for quieter playback — preferred by most audiophiles. Direct-drive turntables connect the motor directly to the platter, offering faster start-up times and consistent speed — preferred by DJs for scratching and beatmatching.
When shopping for your first turntable, key features to consider include: an adjustable counterweight (for proper tracking force), an anti-skate mechanism, a replaceable cartridge/stylus, and the absence of built-in speakers (which cause vibration feedback). Quality entry-level turntables from Audio-Technica, Pro-Ject, and Rega start around $150-300 and will treat your records well. Avoid suitcase-style turntables — they use heavy tracking forces that can damage vinyl over time.
The Technics SL-1200, introduced in 1972 as an audiophile turntable, became the industry-standard DJ turntable and is still manufactured today.